June 11, 2023
By Xari Jalil
LAHORE
As Eid ul Azha approaches, a new wave of threats and attacks have been unleashed upon the Ahmadiyya community across Pakistan. The most recent was the killing of two people from the community in Mandi Bahauddin, a city in central Punjab. The two separate incidents took place within 20 minutes of each other and happened in broad daylight in the Sadullahpur area of Mandi Bahauddin district.
In the first incident, 62 year old Ghulam Sarwar son of Bashir Ahmed, was going home after prayers in ‘Bait-ul-Duzkar’, the Ahmadiyya place of worship or ibadat gah, when a young man opened fire on him near his house, killing him on the spot. The case was lodged at the Bhaagat Police Station, Sadullahpur, the same day, based on a complaint made by an eyewitness who had been walking behind the victim.
The complainant in the FIR said that on June 8, Ghulam Sarwar had been walking towards his home from the ibadat gah when he turned into one of the lanes, where a mosque named ‘Masjid Khatm-e-Nabuwat‘ was situated. The accused Ali Raza was standing outside the mosque and as soon as Sarwar turned into the lane, the accused began to walk towards him with a gun (‘TT’ pistol 30 bore) in his hand and fired straight at him. Ghulam Sarwar received bullets in his head and neck and instantly collapsed on the ground bathed in blood. He died immediately while the accused Ali Raza ran eastwards, pistol in hand, said the eyewitness in the FIR. The case has been filed under Section 302 for murder, and Section 7 of the Anti Terrorism Act (ATA).
Only around 20 minutes later, a second killing took place in a similar manner – that of 30 year old Rahat Ahmad Bajwa son of Mushtaq Ahmed Bajwa. Bajwa was returning home from a bus stop from his commercial kitchen called Pakwan Centre, when he was shot and killed near the local mosque of the village.
Meanwhile the police apprehended the accused, Syed Ali Raza son of Bashir (aka Bau Shah), aged between 16 and 17 years, a student of the local Madrassa, affiliated with the Ahle Sunnat Jamaat. Both FIRs have been lodged in the Bhaagat police station, against the same accused under the same offences. According to details, the imam or administrator of the madrassah, Sajid Latif, is known to be at the forefront of the hate campaign against Ahmadis. The accused has confessed to the police about the murder.
The Ahmadi community locals say that the accused Ali Raza had been involved in spreading hatred against the Ahmadiyya community and creating fear amongst them through hate speech and religious resentment.
NO PROMISES FROM GOVERNMENT
On June 10, the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister in response to the growing attacks on minorities. Speaking to Voicepk Rabiya Javeri Agha, chairperson of NCHR said that they were still waiting for some kind of response from the Government.
“We have written to the government – the IGP – the boy has been arrested that is for sure but the truth of the matter its not about one or two killings, its a systemic issue of hate and brainwashing and that needs to be addressed,” she said. “For this case we have written to the police to ensure due process. The bigger issue is that something has to be done to eliminate radicalism in youth otherwise that will have serious repercussions for everybody.”
On Monday, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) strongly condemned the target killing of the two Ahmadi men in Saadullah Pur, Mandi Bahauddin, on 8 June.
“It is especially worrying that the alleged perpetrator of this attack was a teenage student at a local seminary, who reportedly cited faith-based reasons as his motive,” stated the human rights organization. “The Ahmadiyya community has repeatedly pointed to unchecked extremist rhetoric radicalizing local youth, but their concerns have regrettably been ignored. The state must take decisive action against the alleged perpetrator and hold to account anyone responsible for inciting faith-based violence, including hate speech.”
A list of incidents recorded from January till April 2024 show the seriousness of the situation that Ahmadis are facing.
- One Ahmadi was murdered for his faith, while another survived a murder attempt.
- Three Ahmadiyya places of worship were desecrated reportedly by the police
- At least 100 gravestones were destroyed by unknown miscreants, while the police looked on
- The burial of an Ahmadi deceased was stopped by the TLP
- An Ahmadi was booked under the anti-Ahmadi law PPC-298-C, that carries a three-year imprisonment.
- The Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan were compelled to boycott the General Elections.
- Six Ahmadi teachers were transferred due to their faith
Despite this, little has been promised by the government – neither federal, nor provincial. While many incidents have taken place in Karachi and other places, most incidents have taken place in Punjab and AJK.
After a recent incident in Jehlum, the Ahmadi community also wrote to the government but are still waiting for an answer.
In Jehlum, a speech was made by a local Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) leader who threatened Ahmadis in public. In one of the videos that went viral on social media, a police sub inspector-turned-TLP leader Asim Ashfaque, living in the Jhelum area showed him shouting about how Ahmadis would be hanged upside down if they attempted animal sacrifice on Eid. In another video, a teenager announced on camera that he would kill any Ahmadi attempting to carry out the religious practices of a ‘Muslim’.
When it comes to government response however there is nothing seen or heard as loudly.
“At present, the hate campaign against Ahmadis is on the rise in the country,” says Amir Mehmood, the spokesperson of the communuty. “These elements spreading hatred and inciting violence must be brought to justice. Sadly any role of the goverment in providing protection is not seen in most cases.”
He says that the situation is only getting worse day by day, and now it seems that the extremists have taken to using the help of the police or the district administration.
“In Faisalabad this week, several complaints were made against the Ahmadi community in various police stations,” says Mehmood. “Yesterday in Chakwal three local leaders were called in by the Deputy Commissioner and in the presence of the extremist elements were ordered to give in writing that no one from the community would perform animal sacrifice on Eid. The Ahmadi leaders refused, and quoted Justice Mansoor Ali Shah’s verdict of how they were allowed to carry out their rituals and religious duties within their own boundary walls. By evening their detention orders were issued and they were arrested for a month.”
Instead of providing protection the Ahmadis, the police is forcing them to bow down to the elements, he said. “Its a pathetic situation.”
MANDI BAHAUDDIN
As in many other districts, the hate campaign against Ahmadis in Mandi Bahauddin has been ongoing.
“In the absence of legal action, TLP or any other group has become so confident that they can now easily threaten to kill an Ahmadi who was appointed as a police officer in Mandi Bahauddin,” explains Amir Mehmood.
Mandi Bahauddin has been a hub for such incitement since time now, and the TLP which is the group behind most of these cases also enjoys impunity for it.
In 2022, TLP leader in Mandi Bahauddin, Muhammad Naeem Chatta Qadri incited violence and attacks against pregnant Ahmadi women. In a video clip he clearly stated, that “babies should be killed before birth”. He was never arrested or convicted and continues to operate in full freedom.